MS11-100 : KB2656353 Error Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 -- Internal Error 2705. Directory
The recent release of Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-100 KB2656353 might fail on Windows XP/Windows 2003 systems.
The patch will fail with an error message: “Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 -- Internal Error 2705. Directory”
In fact, if you try to repair existing .Net Framework 1.1, you would receive the same error message: “Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 -- Internal Error 2705. Directory”
The above error message indicates that there is a directory tree definition problem on the machine (a directory references a parent that isn’t defined). After digging it further, I found why the failure is happening. The root cause is that KB2656353 requires .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 to be registered against the .Net Framework 1.1 product, but it was not. Even though Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 may appear in add/remove programs, it may not be registered. To determine if SP1 is registered check the install log.
As per the install LOG:
We do not see the 1.1 SP1 patch in the sequence.
MSI (s) (7C:1C) [15:58:37:948]: Final Patch Application Order:
MSI (s) (7C:1C) [15:58:37:948]: {2A3320D6-C805-4280-B423-B665BDE33D8F} -
MSI (s) (7C:1C) [15:58:37:948]: {EFCE7BE0-510E-4932-9475-F44CD90DE16A} –
.Net 1.1 SP1 is {411EDCF7-755D-414E-A74B-3DCD6583F589} and is missing from this list.
Resolution:
Just installing Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 patch should resolve this issue. Please install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=33 on the system and then install KB2656353.
Comments
Anonymous
January 14, 2012
I've been fighting this issue off and on for days on two of my computers. This fixed it. Rather than the error message you mention mine just says that KB2656353 failed to load. Reinstalling 1.1 SP1 did the trick. Thanks!Anonymous
January 17, 2012
How do you resolve this issue when you have thousands of computers with this issue and relying on WSUS? Can't just reapply SP1 via WSUS.Anonymous
January 17, 2012
Why can't you reapply SP1 via WSUS?Anonymous
January 18, 2012
SP1 is already approved in WSUS and all the computers indicated they already have it installed.Anonymous
January 18, 2012
Bless you. After all the strange and irrational solutions I went through yours was the first that seemed logical and not too risky to try. Thanks , a load off my mind and not a irritant anymoreAnonymous
January 19, 2012
This solution worked perfectly, Thanks.Anonymous
January 20, 2012
Same issue here -- using SCCM and a few hundred clients have this error message, as described in blog post above. Reinstalling .Net 1.1 SP1 solves the problem. Hmmmm, right - I better start working on a fix!Anonymous
January 22, 2012
1/22/12 Many thanks. Your instructions solved my problemAnonymous
January 24, 2012
I did exactly what you said, reinstalled Net 1.1 SP1 successfully, but KB2656353 still fails to install. I cannot even figure out how to cancel that KB2656353 installation or hide it! Every time I boot up it insists on trying again. I can't make it go away.Anonymous
February 04, 2012
Thanks a lot.Anonymous
February 07, 2012
Thanks for the info; resolved our issue here.Anonymous
February 13, 2012
Solution worked here as well; thanks.Anonymous
February 15, 2012
another success as others only got an installation failed message no error code thanksAnonymous
February 21, 2012
Thank you for sharing your excellent work!Anonymous
February 21, 2012
The comment has been removedAnonymous
March 05, 2012
This fixed a continuing automatic Windows update failure (Error Code: 0x643) attempting to install the KB2656353 security patch. I received the "Internal Error 2705 Directory" error when I tried to uninstall .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 in an attempt to resolve the failure. That led me to this blog. Thanks.Anonymous
March 08, 2012
Thanks a lot. This solved the problem that I've struggled with for a couple of weeks.Anonymous
March 11, 2012
Thanks Soumitra Mondal, you are a real angel! for your detailed analysis of the problem and finding the fix. I have been wondering when sombody would come along and find out what is wrong with KB265-6353. Many Many Thanks Again!Anonymous
March 23, 2012
Reinstalling NDP1.1sp1-KB867460-X86.exe allowed the patch to install on a number of machines.Anonymous
April 03, 2012
Many thanks. Your instructions solved my problem.Anonymous
April 23, 2012
This atricle was the exact answer I was looking for. Thanks for the fix.Anonymous
December 11, 2012
After several tricky and cumbersome non-working solutions to "Windows cannot apply updates to .Net 1.1", this did the trick! Thanks.